CONTESTANT BLOG
Kim Lewellen: Show #11 (Canouan Island) - Oct. 31st
I was fortunate to make it to the finals of the Golf with Style Global Challenge which sent me to Canouan Island. Where you say? That is exactly what I thought when the Golf Channel set up my plane tickets. It is an inland three miles long and to get there you have to take a 4 or 6 seater, single engine plane from Barbados.
Once you arrive, it is like a different world. The scenery looks like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean with its Blue Waters, little islands off to the side surrounded by white beaches.
It was set up for us to stay at the Raffles resort. The resort makes up most of the island. It sits on a mountain overlooking the sea. I have been fortunate that my golf has lead me many venues across the world, but the views from the Trump International Golf Course are nothing I had ever experienced. This 72 par, championship golf course, with many different elevation changes lends to a variety of shot making. But I tell you the toughest test is to stay focused on my game when the views are this impressive.
Obviously because of my love for golf, I could keep going about the golf course but there is much more to the Raffles resort than the course. Five star lodging in ocean view bungalows, fine dinning, casual dinning, many different beaches providing an opportunity for water sports, tennis, a spa located in the Caribbean Sea. Yes, in the sea, which a small boat gets you there. There is so much to do you will have to take a vacation after your vacation.
I would get into the golf match against Valeria, Mark and Guy but you will have to watch and see what happens. I will say there is a treasure hunt involved, some team matches, and a finale that has some interesting shot making. You don’t want to miss this last show airing on Nov. 14th. I promise you will be setting up your next vacation to Canouan Island.
Once you arrive, it is like a different world. The scenery looks like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean with its Blue Waters, little islands off to the side surrounded by white beaches.
It was set up for us to stay at the Raffles resort. The resort makes up most of the island. It sits on a mountain overlooking the sea. I have been fortunate that my golf has lead me many venues across the world, but the views from the Trump International Golf Course are nothing I had ever experienced. This 72 par, championship golf course, with many different elevation changes lends to a variety of shot making. But I tell you the toughest test is to stay focused on my game when the views are this impressive.
Obviously because of my love for golf, I could keep going about the golf course but there is much more to the Raffles resort than the course. Five star lodging in ocean view bungalows, fine dinning, casual dinning, many different beaches providing an opportunity for water sports, tennis, a spa located in the Caribbean Sea. Yes, in the sea, which a small boat gets you there. There is so much to do you will have to take a vacation after your vacation.
I would get into the golf match against Valeria, Mark and Guy but you will have to watch and see what happens. I will say there is a treasure hunt involved, some team matches, and a finale that has some interesting shot making. You don’t want to miss this last show airing on Nov. 14th. I promise you will be setting up your next vacation to Canouan Island.
Cindy Miller: Show #10 (Hawaii) - Oct. 24th
Wow, I am so glad I said I would do this show. HAWAII!!!
I have been to Hawaii a few times. My first was for the NCAA Championships in 1977 when our team, The University of Miami Hurricanes won our first of two consecutive NCAA Titles. We played at what is now Turtle Bay Resort. I have also been to Oahu a few times to accompany my hubby, Allen who played on the PGA Tour in the Hawaiian Open. It is a beautiful place.
I have never been to Maui.
Flights over were uneventful, thankfully. We all seemed to arrive at the same time, on time so it worked out perfectly. Our producer was smart in the planning ahead. We were able to have a day of rest to get over the jet lag. The crew was coming directly from Puerto Rico and had about a twenty hour trip! They were totally exhausted and needed the rest.
I am so glad I get to see Val. It has been a few months since we have seen each other. She is such a bubbly, beautiful, caring person. Of all the Big Break III contestants, there are a few of us that speak a little more often than the rest. Val is one of those few.
Maybe it is because we both have three children and possibly a little more in common, even though I am almost twice her age!
The Sheraton Maui Resort is very nice. It is right on the ocean with a beautiful beach and awesome pool. Our rooms are very comfortable. I was lucky enough to get a mini suite later in the week and wow, that is the way to go!
The first day we hung out and relaxed at the pool. It was nice to be able to catch up with the time difference. It is six hours earlier than the Eastern Time Zone.
Kaanapoli South Course
Day Number One: The Kaanapoli Golf Course is just down the road from the Sheraton Maui Resort. We are playing the South Course as the North Course is under renovations.
This time we get to have professional caddies. Ed Kageyama is not only the General Manager of the resort, but also a PGA Professional. He is going to caddy for Val. I get to have Scott Ashworth, the Director of Golf caddy for me. We are very lucky as both men are not only very nice, but golf professionals also, and know these very tricky grainy greens.
Our first hole is number 7 is a dog leg right up hill par 4. Val and I both hit good tee shots. Val knocked it by the hole a bit and made a very good two putt. I had a good chance at a birdie, but totally miss read it and made par. We are tied at even par.
Our second hole for the day is number 8, a 485 yard par 5.
Both Val and I hit the ball in the fairway and on the green, two putt for par and go on. (I think that is the way it is suppose to be done)
We are tied at even par.
Our third hole of the day is a down hill (VERY DOWNHILL) 331 yard par 4. Val hit a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway.
I yanked it a bit off the tee, but got a lucky bounce and roll and ended up 25 yards from the hole. Yes, that is the longest drive I have ever hit! We are tied at even par and Val is away. She had told me she has been having trouble chipping and decides to put it from about 35 yards away from the green. She is on a down hill lie and the pin is close to the front of the green where it may be difficult to stop the ball, but I am very surprised she is choosing to putt. She leaves it just short of the green with about a 22 foot birdie putt. I have a downhill 25 yard flop shot over the bunker to a tight pin. Of course my first thought is, make sure you get it over the bunker. I take a few practice swings trying to feel the shot. I execute the best flop shot I have ever hit. It flies over the bunker, it hops and side spins about three inches from the hole. I am very excited because my son Jamie, a junior on the Augusta State Men’s Golf Team, says I hit the ball like a girl and can’t stop it. WELL, look at Momma now! Val then decides to make the putt and we are tied at one under. What a great putt she made!
It was pre-arranged that Cindy wouldn’t be showing any cellulite on this show, so the rewards were already decided. Val gets to Belly Dance and I get to paddle my way across the ocean on an outrigger. We both have a great time. I was a little worried I may not be able to swing the next day, so I faked the paddling a little. Please don’t tell Stina!
That night we had the opportunity to go on a cruise on the ocean. It was beautiful.
Day number two
Our first hole is number 4 on Kannaopli South. It is a short 300 yard par four. We both knock it on the green and Val three putts. I go one up. I must tell you the green are very difficult to read and are very grainy.
Hole number 2 for the day is a 350 yard par four. Val hits her drive way right and it looks like it may be out of bounds. She is safe and hits a great second shot on the green. I hit it in the middle of the fairway and knock it on the green. Val three putts again and I go two up and win the day’s match. I now have 2.5 points.
Since we need to play number 6, our producers decide we will play number six for the reward. If you win, you get to sit back and relax while the other is making dinner on the Hibachi. Number six is a 150 yard par three. I hit a good 8 iron pretty close to the hole and win. Wow, I get out of cooking twice!
Day Number three:
Our first hole is Number 10 on Kannapoli South. It is an up hill par 4 361 yards. Both Val and I pull our tee shot a bit, which ends up being a good thing. Val is away and puts her second shot into the front left bunker. I don’t know if she had a bad lie in the rough or just chose the wrong club. I had 145 to the hole and hit 7 iron a little long. Val hit a pretty good bunker shot about 20 feet short of the hole. She made bogie. I had a total muscle spasm on the first putt and hit it way long. I was too concerned about the break and totally forgot about the speed. I three putted and made bogie.
We are tied.
Our second hole is number 11, a downhill 140 yard par three. The wind is blowing and I am not sure what club to use. I get up over an eight iron and I am not totally comfortable. I back off to realign myself and make a non-committed bail out swing. I hit it about 40 feet from the hole. Val hit a good shot to about 20 feet. I now have given myself a long uphill difficult breaking putt. It is so funny how in golf, one dumb mistake can turn into a series of other dumb mistakes. I get to experience this today. I hit my first putt about four feet short. Val hits her putt about three feet short. I miss my next one- pull it and she makes hers to go one up.
I am one down.
Our last hole is number 12, a 510 yard par 5. I must win this hole even though I won yesterday because today’s match is worth three points and I am currently one down.
I hit a squirrelly drive in the middle of the fairway. Val hit hers a bit to the right in the bunker. I hit a super second shot in perfect position to knock it close to the hole. Val hits it out into the fairway.
I get up to my ball and walk off the yardage. I have 82 yards to the pin. Scott tells me I only want to hit it about 70 yards because I don’t want to go past the hole. I hit my gap wedge 90 yards. I hit my 58 degree wedge 75 yards. I look in my bag for my 58 degree wedge and it isn’t there. My pitching wedge is missing also. I try to remember where I had left my wedges. I realize I was chipping before we teed off and I guess I left them on the side of the putting green. We now stop all play and they get someone to go all the way back to the clubhouse to try to find my wedges.
I am embarrassed to make such a stupid mistake. Scott is mad at himself for not coming over to the putting green this morning.
In the middle of all this I am contemplating if I really want to hit the 58 degree or grip down on my gap wedge. The wind is howling behind us. Val proceeds to hit her shot while we are waiting. She knocks it on the green about 20 feet.
I get my wedges back and am still not totally committed to which shot is the best and I must say, I am beating myself up with how stupid I was to leave my wedges by the putting green. I proceed to hit about 4 feet behind the ball and dig to CHINA! There is nothing left to do but laugh. I then asked the producers if I could give Val her putt. They said NO WAY. I had to finish the hole.
Val wins the match and the competition. She did a good job.
So what happened to Cindy? After thinking about it and re-playing the holes in my head, I have to say that my first mistake was my first putt on the first hole. I hit it way too hard and had a brain cramp. Distance is ALWAYS more important than direction.
My second mistake was lack of a clear decision on our second hole before making a golf swing. I have made a vow to Cindy to ask if she is confident with her choice before she makes a golf swing. It is okay to make a bad swing, but it isn’t okay to make a golf swing when you aren’t sure of your plan.
My third mistake was of course, leaving the wedges on the putting green. That situation caused a disruption in the play and then second thoughts and then a bad swing.
So I guess the lessons are not over for Cindy. We are all still Ground Under Repair and I will continue to learn.
The best part after the match was the shopping spree! That may one of my favorite things to do other than playing golf!
I want to thank the Golf Channel for asking me to participate on this show. I had a great time. I truly love working with them. The crews have been the most fun, positive, and talented people ever!
I also want to thank all the people from The Maui Sheraton Resort and Kaanapoli. They were all so kind. This spot is beautiful.
I will go back!
I have been to Hawaii a few times. My first was for the NCAA Championships in 1977 when our team, The University of Miami Hurricanes won our first of two consecutive NCAA Titles. We played at what is now Turtle Bay Resort. I have also been to Oahu a few times to accompany my hubby, Allen who played on the PGA Tour in the Hawaiian Open. It is a beautiful place.
I have never been to Maui.
Flights over were uneventful, thankfully. We all seemed to arrive at the same time, on time so it worked out perfectly. Our producer was smart in the planning ahead. We were able to have a day of rest to get over the jet lag. The crew was coming directly from Puerto Rico and had about a twenty hour trip! They were totally exhausted and needed the rest.
I am so glad I get to see Val. It has been a few months since we have seen each other. She is such a bubbly, beautiful, caring person. Of all the Big Break III contestants, there are a few of us that speak a little more often than the rest. Val is one of those few.
Maybe it is because we both have three children and possibly a little more in common, even though I am almost twice her age!
The Sheraton Maui Resort is very nice. It is right on the ocean with a beautiful beach and awesome pool. Our rooms are very comfortable. I was lucky enough to get a mini suite later in the week and wow, that is the way to go!
The first day we hung out and relaxed at the pool. It was nice to be able to catch up with the time difference. It is six hours earlier than the Eastern Time Zone.
Kaanapoli South Course
Day Number One: The Kaanapoli Golf Course is just down the road from the Sheraton Maui Resort. We are playing the South Course as the North Course is under renovations.
This time we get to have professional caddies. Ed Kageyama is not only the General Manager of the resort, but also a PGA Professional. He is going to caddy for Val. I get to have Scott Ashworth, the Director of Golf caddy for me. We are very lucky as both men are not only very nice, but golf professionals also, and know these very tricky grainy greens.
Our first hole is number 7 is a dog leg right up hill par 4. Val and I both hit good tee shots. Val knocked it by the hole a bit and made a very good two putt. I had a good chance at a birdie, but totally miss read it and made par. We are tied at even par.
Our second hole for the day is number 8, a 485 yard par 5.
Both Val and I hit the ball in the fairway and on the green, two putt for par and go on. (I think that is the way it is suppose to be done)
We are tied at even par.
Our third hole of the day is a down hill (VERY DOWNHILL) 331 yard par 4. Val hit a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway.
I yanked it a bit off the tee, but got a lucky bounce and roll and ended up 25 yards from the hole. Yes, that is the longest drive I have ever hit! We are tied at even par and Val is away. She had told me she has been having trouble chipping and decides to put it from about 35 yards away from the green. She is on a down hill lie and the pin is close to the front of the green where it may be difficult to stop the ball, but I am very surprised she is choosing to putt. She leaves it just short of the green with about a 22 foot birdie putt. I have a downhill 25 yard flop shot over the bunker to a tight pin. Of course my first thought is, make sure you get it over the bunker. I take a few practice swings trying to feel the shot. I execute the best flop shot I have ever hit. It flies over the bunker, it hops and side spins about three inches from the hole. I am very excited because my son Jamie, a junior on the Augusta State Men’s Golf Team, says I hit the ball like a girl and can’t stop it. WELL, look at Momma now! Val then decides to make the putt and we are tied at one under. What a great putt she made!
It was pre-arranged that Cindy wouldn’t be showing any cellulite on this show, so the rewards were already decided. Val gets to Belly Dance and I get to paddle my way across the ocean on an outrigger. We both have a great time. I was a little worried I may not be able to swing the next day, so I faked the paddling a little. Please don’t tell Stina!
That night we had the opportunity to go on a cruise on the ocean. It was beautiful.
Day number two
Our first hole is number 4 on Kannaopli South. It is a short 300 yard par four. We both knock it on the green and Val three putts. I go one up. I must tell you the green are very difficult to read and are very grainy.
Hole number 2 for the day is a 350 yard par four. Val hits her drive way right and it looks like it may be out of bounds. She is safe and hits a great second shot on the green. I hit it in the middle of the fairway and knock it on the green. Val three putts again and I go two up and win the day’s match. I now have 2.5 points.
Since we need to play number 6, our producers decide we will play number six for the reward. If you win, you get to sit back and relax while the other is making dinner on the Hibachi. Number six is a 150 yard par three. I hit a good 8 iron pretty close to the hole and win. Wow, I get out of cooking twice!
Day Number three:
Our first hole is Number 10 on Kannapoli South. It is an up hill par 4 361 yards. Both Val and I pull our tee shot a bit, which ends up being a good thing. Val is away and puts her second shot into the front left bunker. I don’t know if she had a bad lie in the rough or just chose the wrong club. I had 145 to the hole and hit 7 iron a little long. Val hit a pretty good bunker shot about 20 feet short of the hole. She made bogie. I had a total muscle spasm on the first putt and hit it way long. I was too concerned about the break and totally forgot about the speed. I three putted and made bogie.
We are tied.
Our second hole is number 11, a downhill 140 yard par three. The wind is blowing and I am not sure what club to use. I get up over an eight iron and I am not totally comfortable. I back off to realign myself and make a non-committed bail out swing. I hit it about 40 feet from the hole. Val hit a good shot to about 20 feet. I now have given myself a long uphill difficult breaking putt. It is so funny how in golf, one dumb mistake can turn into a series of other dumb mistakes. I get to experience this today. I hit my first putt about four feet short. Val hits her putt about three feet short. I miss my next one- pull it and she makes hers to go one up.
I am one down.
Our last hole is number 12, a 510 yard par 5. I must win this hole even though I won yesterday because today’s match is worth three points and I am currently one down.
I hit a squirrelly drive in the middle of the fairway. Val hit hers a bit to the right in the bunker. I hit a super second shot in perfect position to knock it close to the hole. Val hits it out into the fairway.
I get up to my ball and walk off the yardage. I have 82 yards to the pin. Scott tells me I only want to hit it about 70 yards because I don’t want to go past the hole. I hit my gap wedge 90 yards. I hit my 58 degree wedge 75 yards. I look in my bag for my 58 degree wedge and it isn’t there. My pitching wedge is missing also. I try to remember where I had left my wedges. I realize I was chipping before we teed off and I guess I left them on the side of the putting green. We now stop all play and they get someone to go all the way back to the clubhouse to try to find my wedges.
I am embarrassed to make such a stupid mistake. Scott is mad at himself for not coming over to the putting green this morning.
In the middle of all this I am contemplating if I really want to hit the 58 degree or grip down on my gap wedge. The wind is howling behind us. Val proceeds to hit her shot while we are waiting. She knocks it on the green about 20 feet.
I get my wedges back and am still not totally committed to which shot is the best and I must say, I am beating myself up with how stupid I was to leave my wedges by the putting green. I proceed to hit about 4 feet behind the ball and dig to CHINA! There is nothing left to do but laugh. I then asked the producers if I could give Val her putt. They said NO WAY. I had to finish the hole.
Val wins the match and the competition. She did a good job.
So what happened to Cindy? After thinking about it and re-playing the holes in my head, I have to say that my first mistake was my first putt on the first hole. I hit it way too hard and had a brain cramp. Distance is ALWAYS more important than direction.
My second mistake was lack of a clear decision on our second hole before making a golf swing. I have made a vow to Cindy to ask if she is confident with her choice before she makes a golf swing. It is okay to make a bad swing, but it isn’t okay to make a golf swing when you aren’t sure of your plan.
My third mistake was of course, leaving the wedges on the putting green. That situation caused a disruption in the play and then second thoughts and then a bad swing.
So I guess the lessons are not over for Cindy. We are all still Ground Under Repair and I will continue to learn.
The best part after the match was the shopping spree! That may one of my favorite things to do other than playing golf!
I want to thank the Golf Channel for asking me to participate on this show. I had a great time. I truly love working with them. The crews have been the most fun, positive, and talented people ever!
I also want to thank all the people from The Maui Sheraton Resort and Kaanapoli. They were all so kind. This spot is beautiful.
I will go back!
Cindy Miller: Show #9 (Jamaica) - Oct. 17th
When the Golf Channel emailed me to ask if I would like to participate in a travel show I had mixed feelings. I was thrilled and honored that they asked me, but on the other hand, the filming was to take place at the busiest time of the year for me. I guess I felt guilty leaving town for a possible three weeks. It didn’t take me too long to “get over it” and say yes!
Since the filming of the Big Break III, my lesson business has really picked up. My tournament play on The Legends Tour was much improved last year. I finished 2nd on the 2005 Money List which also helped me to obtain more Pro-Am opportunities and Corporate Golf Outings. I was also fortunate enough to win both the LPGA Teacher of the Year and LPGA Player of the Year for the Northeast.
Back to Golf with Style The Global Challenge.
I was excited to see Debbie Dahmer. I had spoken to Deb a few times since the show. We all kept in touch.
When I found out were going to Jamaica, I was very excited. I had never been to there. I had a few challenges on the way. My flight to Charlotte out of Buffalo was canceled due to heavy rain storms in the East. (Airline flights out of Buffalo are usually canceled due to snow) We were lucky enough to find a flight to Washington, then through Miami and on to Jamaica. The flight out of Washington was delayed into Miami, also due to weather.
Once I got to Miami I ran about four miles at the speed of sound to catch my flight to Jamaica. It was still sitting at the gate, but the doors were locked. They wouldn’t let me on because the plane was overweight. I had to spend the night in Miami. My fear was that I was delaying the filming.
Once I arrived in Jamaica, I heard over the loud speaker, “Would arriving American passenger Cindy Miller please go to Immigration”. I had never been paged in a foreign country before! I got through customs in a flash and was taken to Half Moon Bay to check in. I had heard it was a great resort from friends of mine. Wow, it is really beautiful! My room was REALLY nice. The bathroom was huge. There was a giant tub and separate shower. I think if is the biggest bathroom I have ever seen in a hotel or resort.
One of the greatest conveniences is that the electricity is compatible with ours, so you don’t need adapters to use your hair dryer or computer. They also have high speed internet.
Once I checked in, I was told that I had about an hour to change and get ready to go to the course. Our first match was at Cinnamon Hill at the Rose Hall Resort.
We had lunch which was delicious, and then got to go to the range to warm up. We had the chance to help some Junior Golfers from the area. They were very talented and open to learning. They had a putting contest to see who would get to caddy for us. I had no idea we were using caddies. If I had known that, I would have brought the little golf bag. I’m not sure my caddy was too happy that he won!
Our first hole was a short par five. It was a beautiful hole looking directly at the ocean which was a fantastic view. Debbie hit the ball straight down the middle. I pulled mine a bit left. The wind was howling. We both missed the green left. Debbie got hers up and down. I missed about a six footer for birdie. I am one down going into number two
The next hole is a 130 yard par 3. The wind is really blowing. Debbie is up first and thinks the wind will help her. She hit a nine iron and the ball got knocked down out of the sky short in the front bunker. Thankfully I brought my laser yardage finder. I calculated that the hole would play about 150 yards and hit my 6 hybrid to about 30 feet. Debbie failed to get the ball up and down and I two putted for par and a win. We are now tied.
The last hole is a short dog leg right par four with water in front of the green. Deb hit her drive a little right. I hit mine down the middle. I think she may have had a bad sprinkle head yardage because she flew the ball way over the green into a buried lie on a down slope. I was lucky enough to hit a good shot about 8 feet from the hole. Debbie hit a great second shot out of the bunker. I thought she made it! I two putted for par and won the hole and the match one up. That gave me one point and the opportunity to sit and relax during our raft ride.
The raft ride was very relaxing and very pretty. Our guides were the coolest thing about it, as they were truly Jamaicans and very friendly and nice.
Day Two: Half Moon Bay
The first hole we played was a par 5 up hill. Today we have experienced caddies. My caddy is pretty competitive and quite smart. He gave me some very good advice. I hit a good second shot which put me in good position for my third. Debbie pulled her second shot and had a tough third. Although my caddy told me it would be fast on the green, I still hit my third just over. I was lucky enough to putt up close to the pin and knock in my par. Debbie made bogie which put me one up.
Our second hole is a dog leg left par four. There is water down the left side with plenty of room to the right. The wind is howling from right to left which makes the tee shot placement of premium importance. I opted to hit a three wood down the ride side. It was a smart move. Debbie hit a driver and came very close to knocking it into the water. I had 70 yards into the green and hit my gap wedge in a safe spot just over the back. of the green. Debbie had a tough shot over the water and the bunker. She hit it a bit fat and ended up in the front bunker. She failed to get the ball up and down, so I went two up after two and won today’s match. Since we are playing for rewards and we have another hole to play, the producers told us we would play the last par three for our reward which was the opportunity to ride a horse, BARE BACK, in the ocean in 20 FEET OF WATER!!! I said, “You have to be kidding me, that is a reward?” Debbie was very excited about it because she not only loves the ocean and grew up near it, but also loves horses. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately) I hit my ball way left on the par three and lost the reward challenge. I get to shovel out the stables and Debbie gets to ride the horse in the ocean! Things always work out for the best, don’t they?
Day Three THE WHITE WITCH
I am now three points up with three points available. Debbie has to win today.
The White Witch not only has a cool name, it is the most spectacular golf course I have ever seen. I absolutely love the name and purchased a visor for my friend and Manager from Buffalo. (She was thrilled) The course is named after the owner of the plantation who used to torture her workers. The story is that one of her employees and lovers poisoned her. They say the mansion is haunted by her.
Our first hole is a down hill par four.
Again, the wind was howling. I started my tee shot way right to have it end up in the middle of the fairway. Debbie pulled her drive and we thought she may be lost, but it ended up in the next fairway and safe. She hit her approach over the green. I hit a 7 iron pin high about 30 feet. Debbie’s chip went over the green. She failed to get it up and down. I two putted to go one up.
Our next hole was a par four dog leg right up the hill. It was important to get the tee shot in the middle of the fairway. Debbie was a little left, but fine. She was away and knocked her shot about 4 feet from the hole. A marvelous golf shot. I hit my shot a little short, but was still on the green about 25 feet. My caddy told me the green really broke from right to left. He was a great help.
I was lucky Debbie missed her birdie putt. It was a tough read. I made my putt for par. Since Debbie had to win the match and I was one up, the match was over after two holes because she could not win the three points. A tie was only possible.
Since we had one more hole to play, the Producers decided to make that hole be for the reward. This time it was for a massage at the Ritz Carlton. That is little more my speed. I really wanted to win this one. This par three was really a great hole. Down hill surrounded by bunkers and of course as I said before, the wind was HOWLING. I hit a good shot, but the wind caught it and I ended up in the bunker short. Debbie hit a good shot pin high left. I ended up hitting a terrible bunker shot and Deb knocked her approach close to the hole for the win. I was bummed because I really wanted a massage at the Ritz. I did finally talk the Producers into letting me get one. It was AWESOME!
Since I won the match, Debbie had to cook jerk dinner. When I saw that in the schedule, I thought, how strange that they are calling us jerks! I had no idea jerk meant a form of barbeque native to Jamaica! Debbie did a great job and the dinner was delicious.
I had a wonderful time in Jamaica. I am so thankful that the Golf Channel asked me to participate in this show. I have been in contact with the Jamaican Board of Tourism about the possibility of my husband Allen (a fifteen year veteran of the PGA Tour) conducting some golf schools down there. I will go back!
Since the filming of the Big Break III, my lesson business has really picked up. My tournament play on The Legends Tour was much improved last year. I finished 2nd on the 2005 Money List which also helped me to obtain more Pro-Am opportunities and Corporate Golf Outings. I was also fortunate enough to win both the LPGA Teacher of the Year and LPGA Player of the Year for the Northeast.
Back to Golf with Style The Global Challenge.
I was excited to see Debbie Dahmer. I had spoken to Deb a few times since the show. We all kept in touch.
When I found out were going to Jamaica, I was very excited. I had never been to there. I had a few challenges on the way. My flight to Charlotte out of Buffalo was canceled due to heavy rain storms in the East. (Airline flights out of Buffalo are usually canceled due to snow) We were lucky enough to find a flight to Washington, then through Miami and on to Jamaica. The flight out of Washington was delayed into Miami, also due to weather.
Once I got to Miami I ran about four miles at the speed of sound to catch my flight to Jamaica. It was still sitting at the gate, but the doors were locked. They wouldn’t let me on because the plane was overweight. I had to spend the night in Miami. My fear was that I was delaying the filming.
Once I arrived in Jamaica, I heard over the loud speaker, “Would arriving American passenger Cindy Miller please go to Immigration”. I had never been paged in a foreign country before! I got through customs in a flash and was taken to Half Moon Bay to check in. I had heard it was a great resort from friends of mine. Wow, it is really beautiful! My room was REALLY nice. The bathroom was huge. There was a giant tub and separate shower. I think if is the biggest bathroom I have ever seen in a hotel or resort.
One of the greatest conveniences is that the electricity is compatible with ours, so you don’t need adapters to use your hair dryer or computer. They also have high speed internet.
Once I checked in, I was told that I had about an hour to change and get ready to go to the course. Our first match was at Cinnamon Hill at the Rose Hall Resort.
We had lunch which was delicious, and then got to go to the range to warm up. We had the chance to help some Junior Golfers from the area. They were very talented and open to learning. They had a putting contest to see who would get to caddy for us. I had no idea we were using caddies. If I had known that, I would have brought the little golf bag. I’m not sure my caddy was too happy that he won!
Our first hole was a short par five. It was a beautiful hole looking directly at the ocean which was a fantastic view. Debbie hit the ball straight down the middle. I pulled mine a bit left. The wind was howling. We both missed the green left. Debbie got hers up and down. I missed about a six footer for birdie. I am one down going into number two
The next hole is a 130 yard par 3. The wind is really blowing. Debbie is up first and thinks the wind will help her. She hit a nine iron and the ball got knocked down out of the sky short in the front bunker. Thankfully I brought my laser yardage finder. I calculated that the hole would play about 150 yards and hit my 6 hybrid to about 30 feet. Debbie failed to get the ball up and down and I two putted for par and a win. We are now tied.
The last hole is a short dog leg right par four with water in front of the green. Deb hit her drive a little right. I hit mine down the middle. I think she may have had a bad sprinkle head yardage because she flew the ball way over the green into a buried lie on a down slope. I was lucky enough to hit a good shot about 8 feet from the hole. Debbie hit a great second shot out of the bunker. I thought she made it! I two putted for par and won the hole and the match one up. That gave me one point and the opportunity to sit and relax during our raft ride.
The raft ride was very relaxing and very pretty. Our guides were the coolest thing about it, as they were truly Jamaicans and very friendly and nice.
Day Two: Half Moon Bay
The first hole we played was a par 5 up hill. Today we have experienced caddies. My caddy is pretty competitive and quite smart. He gave me some very good advice. I hit a good second shot which put me in good position for my third. Debbie pulled her second shot and had a tough third. Although my caddy told me it would be fast on the green, I still hit my third just over. I was lucky enough to putt up close to the pin and knock in my par. Debbie made bogie which put me one up.
Our second hole is a dog leg left par four. There is water down the left side with plenty of room to the right. The wind is howling from right to left which makes the tee shot placement of premium importance. I opted to hit a three wood down the ride side. It was a smart move. Debbie hit a driver and came very close to knocking it into the water. I had 70 yards into the green and hit my gap wedge in a safe spot just over the back. of the green. Debbie had a tough shot over the water and the bunker. She hit it a bit fat and ended up in the front bunker. She failed to get the ball up and down, so I went two up after two and won today’s match. Since we are playing for rewards and we have another hole to play, the producers told us we would play the last par three for our reward which was the opportunity to ride a horse, BARE BACK, in the ocean in 20 FEET OF WATER!!! I said, “You have to be kidding me, that is a reward?” Debbie was very excited about it because she not only loves the ocean and grew up near it, but also loves horses. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately) I hit my ball way left on the par three and lost the reward challenge. I get to shovel out the stables and Debbie gets to ride the horse in the ocean! Things always work out for the best, don’t they?
Day Three THE WHITE WITCH
I am now three points up with three points available. Debbie has to win today.
The White Witch not only has a cool name, it is the most spectacular golf course I have ever seen. I absolutely love the name and purchased a visor for my friend and Manager from Buffalo. (She was thrilled) The course is named after the owner of the plantation who used to torture her workers. The story is that one of her employees and lovers poisoned her. They say the mansion is haunted by her.
Our first hole is a down hill par four.
Again, the wind was howling. I started my tee shot way right to have it end up in the middle of the fairway. Debbie pulled her drive and we thought she may be lost, but it ended up in the next fairway and safe. She hit her approach over the green. I hit a 7 iron pin high about 30 feet. Debbie’s chip went over the green. She failed to get it up and down. I two putted to go one up.
Our next hole was a par four dog leg right up the hill. It was important to get the tee shot in the middle of the fairway. Debbie was a little left, but fine. She was away and knocked her shot about 4 feet from the hole. A marvelous golf shot. I hit my shot a little short, but was still on the green about 25 feet. My caddy told me the green really broke from right to left. He was a great help.
I was lucky Debbie missed her birdie putt. It was a tough read. I made my putt for par. Since Debbie had to win the match and I was one up, the match was over after two holes because she could not win the three points. A tie was only possible.
Since we had one more hole to play, the Producers decided to make that hole be for the reward. This time it was for a massage at the Ritz Carlton. That is little more my speed. I really wanted to win this one. This par three was really a great hole. Down hill surrounded by bunkers and of course as I said before, the wind was HOWLING. I hit a good shot, but the wind caught it and I ended up in the bunker short. Debbie hit a good shot pin high left. I ended up hitting a terrible bunker shot and Deb knocked her approach close to the hole for the win. I was bummed because I really wanted a massage at the Ritz. I did finally talk the Producers into letting me get one. It was AWESOME!
Since I won the match, Debbie had to cook jerk dinner. When I saw that in the schedule, I thought, how strange that they are calling us jerks! I had no idea jerk meant a form of barbeque native to Jamaica! Debbie did a great job and the dinner was delicious.
I had a wonderful time in Jamaica. I am so thankful that the Golf Channel asked me to participate in this show. I have been in contact with the Jamaican Board of Tourism about the possibility of my husband Allen (a fifteen year veteran of the PGA Tour) conducting some golf schools down there. I will go back!
Marty Wilde: Show #8 (Wales) - Oct. 10th
I was really excited about competing against Guy again. We have not seen each other for a long time and I was looking forward to catching up. I was also very much looking forward to exploring one of the most beautiful parts of the world - Wales!
Coming into the show I had not been playing very much golf. I was concentrating on other things like getting more television work. Plus, I was in the process of buying a new house and didn’t have a lot of extra cash to fund my golf. So as you can imagine I was a little rusty coming in to it. Still I was confident I would have a great time regardless of my play.
Wales is a beautiful place. Traveling to our first stop - the Castle Hotel in Conwy - we passed by some magnificent Castles and hilltops scattered with sheep and massive cows! The first thing I did on arrival was have a wander round the streets, and apart from being attacked by sea gulls the size of small planes, I had a nice stroll and enjoyed the local fish and chips.
The first course we played was Royal St Davids and I can honestly say it was a real eye opener. I mean how many times in your golf career do you take aim at an enormous castle on a hilltop! We were blessed with lovely weather and I managed to hit some good shots which was nice! All in all I was very impressed with the course - a tough test of your skills especially when the wind gets up.
At the end of the day we headed towards the magnificent Castle Deudrath. From the outside it looked every bit a medieval Castle. But the inside completely blew me away. A three million pound refurbishment certainly saw to that.
Guy had won the closest to the pin contest and earned a stay in the presidential suite, but that night I certainly didn’t feel I had lost. My room was bigger than my flat. I had my own kitchen, massive bathroom, living area and a plasma screen. I would be very happy to live there. Plus, it was all finished in such stylish oak flooring, silk sheets, marble tile…it was stunning. A very classy mix of old and new.
From there we jumped back into the tour bus and headed down the coast to play Nefyn & District golf course. The journey was long and had so many ups and downs, corners and turns that it left a few of us green and slightly sick! Why they could not have carved out millions of tons of earth and put a nice straight motor-way through the lovely mountains I will never know. How unreasonable!
But onto the course. The man who decided to build a golf course on that land must have been completely bonkers! Some holes are so close to the cliffs an avid ball hunter would need rock climbing gear to find even one ball! I guess after playing the course a couple of hundred times you would work out how best to play the holes that send you out into oblivion. I was dizzy standing on one hole knowing that a big gust of air could whisk my slim frame at any time out to sea never to be seen again. There I would sink to the bottom and make friends with Sponge Bob Square Pants and all the other sea life.
The best part of the day, however, was when we meandered down the steep cliffs leading to the beach and found the most tranquil place to have a local beer. The view was quite stunning overlooking the land as it jutted out into the sea and watching the local fishing boats coming in with their evening supper.
We then traveled to The Celtic Manor resort which is a really great place. I had been there before and everything about it is top class. The home of the 2010 Ryder Cup and all around the resort was a hive of activity. They are building a magnificent new course and club house which we had a tour around. All of this was just being sculpted out of the hill side at the time but it was already starting to take shape. And you can take it from me; it is going to be an incredible atmosphere and venue well worth the trip.
All in all I had a great time. The drive through Wales was so mind blowing some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see from the hills and valleys right though to the castles and villages. It was nice to play some really great Golf courses with Guy again too. Good times.
Coming into the show I had not been playing very much golf. I was concentrating on other things like getting more television work. Plus, I was in the process of buying a new house and didn’t have a lot of extra cash to fund my golf. So as you can imagine I was a little rusty coming in to it. Still I was confident I would have a great time regardless of my play.
Wales is a beautiful place. Traveling to our first stop - the Castle Hotel in Conwy - we passed by some magnificent Castles and hilltops scattered with sheep and massive cows! The first thing I did on arrival was have a wander round the streets, and apart from being attacked by sea gulls the size of small planes, I had a nice stroll and enjoyed the local fish and chips.
The first course we played was Royal St Davids and I can honestly say it was a real eye opener. I mean how many times in your golf career do you take aim at an enormous castle on a hilltop! We were blessed with lovely weather and I managed to hit some good shots which was nice! All in all I was very impressed with the course - a tough test of your skills especially when the wind gets up.
At the end of the day we headed towards the magnificent Castle Deudrath. From the outside it looked every bit a medieval Castle. But the inside completely blew me away. A three million pound refurbishment certainly saw to that.
Guy had won the closest to the pin contest and earned a stay in the presidential suite, but that night I certainly didn’t feel I had lost. My room was bigger than my flat. I had my own kitchen, massive bathroom, living area and a plasma screen. I would be very happy to live there. Plus, it was all finished in such stylish oak flooring, silk sheets, marble tile…it was stunning. A very classy mix of old and new.
From there we jumped back into the tour bus and headed down the coast to play Nefyn & District golf course. The journey was long and had so many ups and downs, corners and turns that it left a few of us green and slightly sick! Why they could not have carved out millions of tons of earth and put a nice straight motor-way through the lovely mountains I will never know. How unreasonable!
But onto the course. The man who decided to build a golf course on that land must have been completely bonkers! Some holes are so close to the cliffs an avid ball hunter would need rock climbing gear to find even one ball! I guess after playing the course a couple of hundred times you would work out how best to play the holes that send you out into oblivion. I was dizzy standing on one hole knowing that a big gust of air could whisk my slim frame at any time out to sea never to be seen again. There I would sink to the bottom and make friends with Sponge Bob Square Pants and all the other sea life.
The best part of the day, however, was when we meandered down the steep cliffs leading to the beach and found the most tranquil place to have a local beer. The view was quite stunning overlooking the land as it jutted out into the sea and watching the local fishing boats coming in with their evening supper.
We then traveled to The Celtic Manor resort which is a really great place. I had been there before and everything about it is top class. The home of the 2010 Ryder Cup and all around the resort was a hive of activity. They are building a magnificent new course and club house which we had a tour around. All of this was just being sculpted out of the hill side at the time but it was already starting to take shape. And you can take it from me; it is going to be an incredible atmosphere and venue well worth the trip.
All in all I had a great time. The drive through Wales was so mind blowing some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see from the hills and valleys right though to the castles and villages. It was nice to play some really great Golf courses with Guy again too. Good times.
Randall Hunt: Show #7 (Scotland) - Oct. 3rd
The Golf in Style Global Challenge picked up right where The Big Break IV left off. From the moment my foot touched the ground in Europe I was treated like a king. When I got to the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews I was taken to a hotel suite that could host a family of four. Everything was state of the art - from the appliances to the beaming Kholer facets that seemed to hit you from every direction in the shower.
Unfortunately for me, my golf performance in Golf With Style: Global Challenge picked up where my performance on The Big Break IV left off as well. I played horribly. I certainly had a hard time adjusting to the jet lag. But I think the hardest obstacle for Guy and me was playing the golf holes in the challenge without seeing them. Some of the holes we played in the challenge we had no clue where to hit the ball. I congratulate Guy for his wonderful performance in the challenge.
It was great seeing Guy again. He was one of my favorites from The Big Break IV cast. During The Big Break IV the European Team and the American team were kept separate so I didn’t get a chance to spend a lot of time with him. This time around we spent all day together. I enjoyed experiencing the sacred history of St. Andrews with a dear friend. We went to the Royal and Ancient museum together and saw first hand how the game of golf was started and where it came from. He is a great gentleman and a fun player to be around.
There was a vibe of friendship and love in Scotland. I felt like I had been friends with the crew of the show for years and definitely did not feel like “work.”
Just like The Big Break IV, I probably won’t remember my golf performance from the show but what will stick with me the most are the friendships that were made. They will last a lifetime.
Unfortunately for me, my golf performance in Golf With Style: Global Challenge picked up where my performance on The Big Break IV left off as well. I played horribly. I certainly had a hard time adjusting to the jet lag. But I think the hardest obstacle for Guy and me was playing the golf holes in the challenge without seeing them. Some of the holes we played in the challenge we had no clue where to hit the ball. I congratulate Guy for his wonderful performance in the challenge.
It was great seeing Guy again. He was one of my favorites from The Big Break IV cast. During The Big Break IV the European Team and the American team were kept separate so I didn’t get a chance to spend a lot of time with him. This time around we spent all day together. I enjoyed experiencing the sacred history of St. Andrews with a dear friend. We went to the Royal and Ancient museum together and saw first hand how the game of golf was started and where it came from. He is a great gentleman and a fun player to be around.
There was a vibe of friendship and love in Scotland. I felt like I had been friends with the crew of the show for years and definitely did not feel like “work.”
Just like The Big Break IV, I probably won’t remember my golf performance from the show but what will stick with me the most are the friendships that were made. They will last a lifetime.
Warren Bladon: Show #5 (Ireland) - Sep. 19th
Golf with Style Global Challenge?? A call from the Golf Channel!! Of course I'll play. By the way I don't know what I've said yes to, as I don't have satelite TV. I literally have no idea!!
Was I glad I said yes? "YOU BET!" A trip to Ireland playing golf at Druids Glen, the K Club and Royal Belfast.
Day one: Arrive late at the airport. I thought I was on time, but I missed my flight by 5mins. Ok no problem just put me on the next one.....8 hours later check in again. Sorry sir there is a short delay, nice......6 hours later, now 11.30pm, I'm thinking ok a late arrival. I’ve missed dinner but I bet I can sleep in. A welcome note in my suite said we meet at 7am. It's now 2.30am. No sleeping in. Best of luck Guy.
Day two: Golf, meet the crew for the first time a really nice bunch of people and some good looking ladies! We head down to the practice area to warm up and chat with Guy wondering what lies ahead? A 3 hole challenge on the old course at Druids Glen. We start at a par three over water with the wind swirling. Guy’s away and goes long right. I hit and for a second it looked good until the wind stopped it and came up short right. We both scramble a three - even thru 1. The next was a longer par 3 again from an elevated tee, very picturesque. Guy hit to about 30ft, I hit inside him about 12ft. Good for me. Guy rolls in for a deuce, nice putt. I miss - 1 down!!! On to the next, a long par 4 from an elevated tee. We both hit perfect drives. Guy hits into the green first about 15ft. Now its looking tough. I hit into about 45ft - a must hole situation and I miss. This match is over 1 up to Guy. He gets to play 18 holes with the host while i get to look at the nature reserve for birds.
That evening we were treated to a wonderful dinner in the old clubhouse, they really know how to look after you. This is what golf in Ireland is all about. Their hospitality is second to none!! some of us kept going until 4am!!!!
Day three: An early start about 5.45 ouch! A two hour drive to the K Club. This is part of the trip I don't remember that well. Apart from the fact that the golf was very difficult and anyone could have beat me that day. I guess it was nice of Guy to take it easy, it made me look not so bad. Again a wonderful place to play and home of the Ryder Cup. Part of our outing was a trip to Dublin and a tour around the Guinness factory, just what the dr. ordered. A few wrong turns a close miss and we were there. We had an extensive tour and a brief history lesson that was very good, at the end of our tour we finished at the sky bar with excellent views of Dublin City. Part of our challenge was for us all to pour the perfect pint of Guinness and then of course drink it, I was at a slight advantage here as I did run a pub for three years!!!!!! At least I won this!
Day four: Its time to move on a three hour drive to Belfast and the Royal Belfast Golf Club, this is a more traditional golf club over one hundred years old with lot of history and a beautiful view over Belfast estuary. An evening of rest ahead then golf tomorrow and my last chance to beat Guy and take this into a play off. After a night of poker with everyone it was time for the golf. We were playing the 3 holes they like to call their amen corner. Ok, this is my chance. I feel good. Guy hit first and starts with a huge block onto a different hole. I hit right side semi. Guy makes the green about 30ft from the hole. I hit onto the green about 12ft away. Guy misses and I hole for a birdie and 1up. Par 3 is next…a good hole blind tee shot difficult green. I go long but ok Guy hits longer and is in trouble. Its looking like its over already, but Guy makes a good 4 and I miss from 5ft for par, a half somehow. Par 4 - next blind drive i hit right but Guy hits good down the middle. I’m up and I get a flyer and go long to a back pin. Not good. Guy hits the apron about 15ft away. Now its looking bad. I chip to about 6ft, Guy lips his chip. I must hole to stay in, but MISS. A halve and I lose!!!! It’s the airport for me, the next venue for Guy. Well done!
Later I get dropped off at Belfast City airport, say all the goodbye's to eveyone and thank them for an excellent time and some wonderful memories.
That was my Golf With Style Global Challenge!!!!!
Blade
Was I glad I said yes? "YOU BET!" A trip to Ireland playing golf at Druids Glen, the K Club and Royal Belfast.
Day one: Arrive late at the airport. I thought I was on time, but I missed my flight by 5mins. Ok no problem just put me on the next one.....8 hours later check in again. Sorry sir there is a short delay, nice......6 hours later, now 11.30pm, I'm thinking ok a late arrival. I’ve missed dinner but I bet I can sleep in. A welcome note in my suite said we meet at 7am. It's now 2.30am. No sleeping in. Best of luck Guy.
Day two: Golf, meet the crew for the first time a really nice bunch of people and some good looking ladies! We head down to the practice area to warm up and chat with Guy wondering what lies ahead? A 3 hole challenge on the old course at Druids Glen. We start at a par three over water with the wind swirling. Guy’s away and goes long right. I hit and for a second it looked good until the wind stopped it and came up short right. We both scramble a three - even thru 1. The next was a longer par 3 again from an elevated tee, very picturesque. Guy hit to about 30ft, I hit inside him about 12ft. Good for me. Guy rolls in for a deuce, nice putt. I miss - 1 down!!! On to the next, a long par 4 from an elevated tee. We both hit perfect drives. Guy hits into the green first about 15ft. Now its looking tough. I hit into about 45ft - a must hole situation and I miss. This match is over 1 up to Guy. He gets to play 18 holes with the host while i get to look at the nature reserve for birds.
That evening we were treated to a wonderful dinner in the old clubhouse, they really know how to look after you. This is what golf in Ireland is all about. Their hospitality is second to none!! some of us kept going until 4am!!!!
Day three: An early start about 5.45 ouch! A two hour drive to the K Club. This is part of the trip I don't remember that well. Apart from the fact that the golf was very difficult and anyone could have beat me that day. I guess it was nice of Guy to take it easy, it made me look not so bad. Again a wonderful place to play and home of the Ryder Cup. Part of our outing was a trip to Dublin and a tour around the Guinness factory, just what the dr. ordered. A few wrong turns a close miss and we were there. We had an extensive tour and a brief history lesson that was very good, at the end of our tour we finished at the sky bar with excellent views of Dublin City. Part of our challenge was for us all to pour the perfect pint of Guinness and then of course drink it, I was at a slight advantage here as I did run a pub for three years!!!!!! At least I won this!
Day four: Its time to move on a three hour drive to Belfast and the Royal Belfast Golf Club, this is a more traditional golf club over one hundred years old with lot of history and a beautiful view over Belfast estuary. An evening of rest ahead then golf tomorrow and my last chance to beat Guy and take this into a play off. After a night of poker with everyone it was time for the golf. We were playing the 3 holes they like to call their amen corner. Ok, this is my chance. I feel good. Guy hit first and starts with a huge block onto a different hole. I hit right side semi. Guy makes the green about 30ft from the hole. I hit onto the green about 12ft away. Guy misses and I hole for a birdie and 1up. Par 3 is next…a good hole blind tee shot difficult green. I go long but ok Guy hits longer and is in trouble. Its looking like its over already, but Guy makes a good 4 and I miss from 5ft for par, a half somehow. Par 4 - next blind drive i hit right but Guy hits good down the middle. I’m up and I get a flyer and go long to a back pin. Not good. Guy hits the apron about 15ft away. Now its looking bad. I chip to about 6ft, Guy lips his chip. I must hole to stay in, but MISS. A halve and I lose!!!! It’s the airport for me, the next venue for Guy. Well done!
Later I get dropped off at Belfast City airport, say all the goodbye's to eveyone and thank them for an excellent time and some wonderful memories.
That was my Golf With Style Global Challenge!!!!!
Blade
Jay McNair: Show #4 (Oregon) - Sep. 12th
I was very surprised to get a phone call from the producer of the show asking me if I wanted to do the show. Being that I was the first player eliminated from BBII I figured I was a thought of the past. I really never got to show anyone that I had a little game. I was very happy to be selected to participate!!! But OREGON????? All I could say was wow!!! I’ve been many places on this earth but Oregon has never been a destination I had in mind…but as usual, I was game!!
The first location was Eagle Crest Resort. At Eagle Crest I played the first 3 hole match against Anthony. While warming up, I could tell that Anthony had game so I knew I needed to play well. The golf course was very scenic and pretty. I actually didn’t pay any attention whether or not it was going to be difficult. I won the first hole which was a par 3 and I lost the next which was a par 5. I made par on the 3 par and Anthony made a GREAT bogey (if there is such a thing). I hit my driver GOD AWFUL the entire trip and the par 5 second hole of the match is where it started. I hit a drive so far to the right; I didn’t even bother yelling FORE!!!!! Long story short Anthony made a 15 foot putt for birdie and I missed my attempt. We came into the last hole all square and once again my tee ball had the right blinker on. Anthony was 100 yards out smack in the middle of the fairway while I was 98 yards out looking at tree branches. He hit a good shot to about 15 feet and I hit one of the best shots of my life over a tree on the green about 12 feet away. We both missed so we finished all square for the first 3 hole match…..not bad for the ol’ school teacher!!!!
After golf we had a catered dinner at someone’s home. The house was beautiful and the food was…….well we ate good. No, seriously, the food was ok. Really got to know Anthony and Stina, but that’s when the flu was kicking my butt so I wasn’t much for company. I know I looked awful and I felt even worse!!!!!
The next stop was to the Running Y Ranch. This place was great. I loved the big wooden doors at the lodge. Call me weird but the doors did it for me. I was feeling really awful on the way from Eagle Crest so I really wasn’t hanging out with the crew like I would have liked too. The match was a 3 hole stroke play deal with a fewest putts game in there too. The first was a short par four that I made bogey from the middle of the fairway. I promise my caddy had to give me the incorrect yardage. He told me that we were 127 out and if I wanted to hit gap wedge I had to step on it. Well I felt that we were 115 out and I could have hit a regular gap wedge…but who am I to question the caddy who works there every day right? Well I stepped on the gap wedge and hit it about 127 which was about 15 yards too long…you get the picture. I made an awful bogey and Anthony made a routine par. Jay is 1 down.
The next hole was a pretty decent 4 par with a green that sat below the fairway and next to a small creek. Anthony as usual was down the pipe while I found myself left in a fairway bunker. I had to draw the worst lie I’ve ever seen in a fairway bunker. I had to just get it out to the fairway about 90 yards from the green. My awesome caddy gave me 74 yards to the pin and of course I believed him. I hit a poor wedge to the front of the green. Anthony was about 25 feet away and he mad another routine par. I had a tough read and my caddy told me that my putt was down hill. The green sloped from back to front but it was a downhill putt???? I had about 20 feet straight up the hill and I hit a great putt to save par, so going into the last hole I’m still 1 stroke back. The last hole was a 3 par about 135. Anthony hit a wedge to about 3 feet. WOW!!!!!!! I hit a decent wedge to about 10 feet but I was off the green. I missed my birdie attempt and Anthony made his….but I won the fewest putts deal to go on the date with Stina. Anthony had to tend to a horse or something. Stina and I really connected on our date, and I was about to pop the question….when I woke up in a damn canoe with a paddle in my hand. Seriously the canoe ride was good and we had a lot of fun. We also had a putt putt match to see who would caddy at the next destination. I pulled that one off and was looking forward to Anthony being my caddy. Hell he’s owned me on the real course……but Jay McNair is a legend on the putt putt course!!!!!
Pacific Dunes was our last stop. This place is da’ bomb. The most beautiful place I’ve ever been. The ocean meets the rocks!!!! WOW!!!! Anthony caddied for Stina and I in a practice round. He needs to stick to Law….Caddying doesn’t become him!!!!! He had a 1 point lead coming into the last match so I had to win. We played a 3 par a 5 par and a 4 par. The holes ran right along the Pacific Ocean. Really scenic stuff!!! The short 3 par was a small 9 iron for me. Anthony hit a good shot to about 20 feet but his ball was above the hole. Tough putt…..but he drained it! I had about 12 feet just off of the green. It’s hard to beat a good putter….just ask the players on the big tour about Tiger! The next hole was a simple 5 par. I finally hit a fairway….I was on the right side but I hit it gosh darn. Anthony hit first and hit a 3 wood way right. I had about 280 and I hit the best shot I had hit in a long time. I put a 3 wood on the green and Anthony conceded my birdie. He hit a good pitch to about 10 feet and he missed the putt. All square to the last hole, just how I wanted it. I had a chance and we both shared the same pressure. We hit our drives to the right and we both hit our second shots into the green side bunker to the right. See when you have this big ol’ hazard to your left called the Pacific Ocean, the right side of the course looks really good!!!! Well we both had similar bunker shots but I was away. I hit a decent shot to about 6 feet. Anthony hit a better shot to about 4 feet. I misread my putt and missed, and of course Anthony drained his to win. A great match. We actually had some applause from the crew and on-lookers.
>My experience in Oregon was great. I would’ve never thought that the most beautiful golf I would ever play would be in Oregon. I’ve played golf all over the world and all I had to do was go to Oregon to play some of the most beautiful courses in the world….go figure. The Golf Channel is a first class operation and they treated us really great. Stina was an awesome hostess and I can’t say enough about Anthony and his ability to get his egg around. I didn’t come out a winner but I wasn’t upset about that. I played my best and I gave it my all. We’ll try again and maybe the outcome will be different. It’s a humbling game. I want to thank everyone involved including Jay for giving my name to Rachel. Thanks my man and thanks to everyone who tuned in!!!! Peace!
Jay McNair-V.C.
The first location was Eagle Crest Resort. At Eagle Crest I played the first 3 hole match against Anthony. While warming up, I could tell that Anthony had game so I knew I needed to play well. The golf course was very scenic and pretty. I actually didn’t pay any attention whether or not it was going to be difficult. I won the first hole which was a par 3 and I lost the next which was a par 5. I made par on the 3 par and Anthony made a GREAT bogey (if there is such a thing). I hit my driver GOD AWFUL the entire trip and the par 5 second hole of the match is where it started. I hit a drive so far to the right; I didn’t even bother yelling FORE!!!!! Long story short Anthony made a 15 foot putt for birdie and I missed my attempt. We came into the last hole all square and once again my tee ball had the right blinker on. Anthony was 100 yards out smack in the middle of the fairway while I was 98 yards out looking at tree branches. He hit a good shot to about 15 feet and I hit one of the best shots of my life over a tree on the green about 12 feet away. We both missed so we finished all square for the first 3 hole match…..not bad for the ol’ school teacher!!!!
After golf we had a catered dinner at someone’s home. The house was beautiful and the food was…….well we ate good. No, seriously, the food was ok. Really got to know Anthony and Stina, but that’s when the flu was kicking my butt so I wasn’t much for company. I know I looked awful and I felt even worse!!!!!
The next stop was to the Running Y Ranch. This place was great. I loved the big wooden doors at the lodge. Call me weird but the doors did it for me. I was feeling really awful on the way from Eagle Crest so I really wasn’t hanging out with the crew like I would have liked too. The match was a 3 hole stroke play deal with a fewest putts game in there too. The first was a short par four that I made bogey from the middle of the fairway. I promise my caddy had to give me the incorrect yardage. He told me that we were 127 out and if I wanted to hit gap wedge I had to step on it. Well I felt that we were 115 out and I could have hit a regular gap wedge…but who am I to question the caddy who works there every day right? Well I stepped on the gap wedge and hit it about 127 which was about 15 yards too long…you get the picture. I made an awful bogey and Anthony made a routine par. Jay is 1 down.
The next hole was a pretty decent 4 par with a green that sat below the fairway and next to a small creek. Anthony as usual was down the pipe while I found myself left in a fairway bunker. I had to draw the worst lie I’ve ever seen in a fairway bunker. I had to just get it out to the fairway about 90 yards from the green. My awesome caddy gave me 74 yards to the pin and of course I believed him. I hit a poor wedge to the front of the green. Anthony was about 25 feet away and he mad another routine par. I had a tough read and my caddy told me that my putt was down hill. The green sloped from back to front but it was a downhill putt???? I had about 20 feet straight up the hill and I hit a great putt to save par, so going into the last hole I’m still 1 stroke back. The last hole was a 3 par about 135. Anthony hit a wedge to about 3 feet. WOW!!!!!!! I hit a decent wedge to about 10 feet but I was off the green. I missed my birdie attempt and Anthony made his….but I won the fewest putts deal to go on the date with Stina. Anthony had to tend to a horse or something. Stina and I really connected on our date, and I was about to pop the question….when I woke up in a damn canoe with a paddle in my hand. Seriously the canoe ride was good and we had a lot of fun. We also had a putt putt match to see who would caddy at the next destination. I pulled that one off and was looking forward to Anthony being my caddy. Hell he’s owned me on the real course……but Jay McNair is a legend on the putt putt course!!!!!
Pacific Dunes was our last stop. This place is da’ bomb. The most beautiful place I’ve ever been. The ocean meets the rocks!!!! WOW!!!! Anthony caddied for Stina and I in a practice round. He needs to stick to Law….Caddying doesn’t become him!!!!! He had a 1 point lead coming into the last match so I had to win. We played a 3 par a 5 par and a 4 par. The holes ran right along the Pacific Ocean. Really scenic stuff!!! The short 3 par was a small 9 iron for me. Anthony hit a good shot to about 20 feet but his ball was above the hole. Tough putt…..but he drained it! I had about 12 feet just off of the green. It’s hard to beat a good putter….just ask the players on the big tour about Tiger! The next hole was a simple 5 par. I finally hit a fairway….I was on the right side but I hit it gosh darn. Anthony hit first and hit a 3 wood way right. I had about 280 and I hit the best shot I had hit in a long time. I put a 3 wood on the green and Anthony conceded my birdie. He hit a good pitch to about 10 feet and he missed the putt. All square to the last hole, just how I wanted it. I had a chance and we both shared the same pressure. We hit our drives to the right and we both hit our second shots into the green side bunker to the right. See when you have this big ol’ hazard to your left called the Pacific Ocean, the right side of the course looks really good!!!! Well we both had similar bunker shots but I was away. I hit a decent shot to about 6 feet. Anthony hit a better shot to about 4 feet. I misread my putt and missed, and of course Anthony drained his to win. A great match. We actually had some applause from the crew and on-lookers.
>My experience in Oregon was great. I would’ve never thought that the most beautiful golf I would ever play would be in Oregon. I’ve played golf all over the world and all I had to do was go to Oregon to play some of the most beautiful courses in the world….go figure. The Golf Channel is a first class operation and they treated us really great. Stina was an awesome hostess and I can’t say enough about Anthony and his ability to get his egg around. I didn’t come out a winner but I wasn’t upset about that. I played my best and I gave it my all. We’ll try again and maybe the outcome will be different. It’s a humbling game. I want to thank everyone involved including Jay for giving my name to Rachel. Thanks my man and thanks to everyone who tuned in!!!! Peace!
Jay McNair-V.C.
Mark Farnham: Show #3 (Lajitas) - Sep. 5th
When I got the call to be on Golf With Style, I thought… Sweet, a golf vacation! I had just seen an episode where Stephanie Sparks was massaged and wined and dined and it looked like fun. The twist being that I was going to be playing a match against one of the former Big Break competitors. But, could I remember how to play golf? Living in Chicago, we don’t get the chance to play much winter golf and I hadn’t touched the clubs in over 8 months. In fact, if truth be told, I had played only a handful of times in the three years since taping The Big Break. Family, Injuries, illness, and business had kept me away from the game, but this was a great reason to dive back in again.
I went to the range to hit balls and the panic set in. Rust settled deep.
By now that I had realized that my competition was going to be either Randy Block or Anthony Sorrentino, two competitors from the first series. I was hoping for Randy, as he and I had a great connection on the first show, and I knew he’d just dust me off easy and we’d have a good time.
Then I get the call. Somehow, Anthony beat Randy and now I am facing Mr. Cocky from Season One. I’m not sure if I was looking more forward to it, or less… but I was more worried about my golf than I was before. Anthony was the sort of person who I thought would not only pound me into the ground on the course, but would spit afterward. That said, I was still looking forward to seeing the kid.
The Flight Down:
After checking in to the hotel in Austin, I settled in for a little late night TV when I get a call from Anthony. He wanted to come up and say hello. We spent the next few hours catching up. He’s still in Law School, and different somehow. Older, more mature… but still Anthony. Still a little bit of a wiseguy. I like him a lot more now than I did on the flight down.
In the morning I met Stina for the first time, and was impressed by her wealth of knowledge about golf. She was more motivated than us are to talk about it, and with Anthony and Stina knowing each other from the earlier taping, it’s kind of nice to just observe for awhile. They have a little cat v. mouse thing going on. Bickering like brother and sister. This is going to be a fun couple of days.
The jet ride down to Lajitas is smooth and as we landed the amazing topography of the Big Bend country struck me. The canyons and valleys cut wide and low, edged by the Rio Grande, and are set against the backdrop of a perfect morning. It’s the kind of day you dream about all winter long up north, the sun rising up over hills and cutting across bright blue skies.
Lajitas Town:
Checking in to the Hotel is like waltzing up mainstreet and expecting an 1880’s gunfight to occur. Anthony and I stayed in one of the Luxury suites opposite the main office, and we couldn’t wait to check out the room. WOW is the only word to describe it. We have a full living room, and each of us has our own master suite off the end, with fireplace, full kitchen (nicely stocked with beer!), and a deck. This is a far cry from the rustic cabins we stayed in on The Big Break, season one!
We have to warm up for our first challenge. The first hole at Lajitas is unique. It’s a peculiar feeling to hit over the Rio Grande into Mexico. I just don’t want to chunk it into the water… so I hit the ball about a mile over the little building in back of the green, and Anthony nearly holes it. It’s here that Stina learns that I am a bit more Lee Trevino than Jack Nicklaus. She asks me if I will ever shut up and points out that I even talk in my own backswing! It isn’t nerves… it actually is just what I do. I lose the competition (or do I?) and that’s it for the day.
The next day we can’t wait for more golf (and I can’t wait to practice) so we get straight to the golf course and hit some balls (mine are going everywhere). Anthony is apparently going to the same law school as Bobby Jones. His golf swing looks better and he is striping the ball.
On the first hole, I lose three balls on the tee and Anthony is starting to resemble a Tennis ball practice machine…pumping balls at me at a rate of speed. Tony (I’m big on nicknames) is playing fantastic. He doesn’t make a single bogey, and shoots -6 for the 14 holes we play. I, on the other hand run out of golf balls. My score? Something close to a ZILLION. Probably the worst golf I have ever played in my life. It was brutal. The match is going to go fast, and the folks on the discussion board are going to tear me to shreds. Ah well, there’s always Tennis right?
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Sometimes when you win, you really lose. Well, that’s what I was thinking when I found out Anthony’s prize for “Winning’ the shot into Mexico was a 1-hour horse back ride in 100F weather, while I cooked him dinner. This was one of the highlights of the trip. You don’t get an appreciation for how big the sky really is until you come down to this part of the country. No Skyscrapers or highway noises, just stars, a campfire, and a singing cowboy. Truly magical. The Cowboy Barbecue wasn’t too much work either, but it did get pretty hot in there! Plus there was the bonus of not having to explain to your wife what you are doing having dinner under the stars with the pretty Swedish host. Winner? Moose.
MORNING COMES EARLY
The next morning we have the first of our non-golf challenges. When we get there we find out it is something a bit more like AMAZING RACE than golf. 4 Wheel ATV riding for a mulligan. Now this sounds interesting. Figuring that I am going to need every break I can muster, I know I have to win this thing. I also notice that Anthony is a bit less cozy on these, than I am - having grown up in farm country. I whiz around the airport to get the feel for my machine, and Anthony is still looking a bit ginger. I know at this point that I am going to win this challenge.
The race starts, and after a bit of confusion, I find the first clue and we are off and racing. I want to fly on this thing, but we have to go at a speed that allows the cameras to film. I am opening a pretty good lead on Anthony, and when I look back, he actually looks lost. We get to the second check point, and the GPS is not functioning properly. I decide that instinct is better than technology, and I go straight into the building and find the clue without it. At this point we are miles ahead of Anthony. We head to the final spot and see him there, but know he has skipped the second station so I can take my time to find the final one, and win the mulligan. It’s a golf channel golf ball which I still keep as a trophy.
Anthony is upset about losing. I’m just happy I won something this week.
After a break, we head off to our second event. This time we play for the ability to move our golf ball one club length, so another mulligan of sorts is on the line.
We drive out to a shooting range set up with targets that have store fronts, saloons, etc… and get some instruction on 1880’s era pistols, rifles, and double barrel shotguns… the three guns that tamed the west. Anthony again looks a little timid. I figure, hey he’s from Detroit, they teach them this in grade school, right? But he said it was the first time he’d shot a gun. I have an advantage, and don’t miss any of the targets in practice.
The competition starts and Anthony is suddenly a lot better - faster and more accurate than I expected. I over compensate and take it very slow and although I hit every target at the first station, I am behind. He inspires me to pick up the pace at station 2, and I open up a big gap, which allows me to coast to victory at station 3.
So now I have the mulligans. A glimmer of hope…if only I can find a golf swing.
MATCH ONE:
After warming up and cobbling together the remnants of a swing, we meet our caddies and I make my first mistake of the competition. I tell my caddy to put away the laser distance finder, not knowing of the rule change. The first hole was a par 5, and I hit a thin drive which I nearly missed into a fairway bunker. Anthony drilled one into the fairway. I’m near the lip, so I just have to get it out and hope for the best. I am left with 185 in and hit a 6 iron on to the left side of the green and have about a 30 foot birdie putt. Anthony, continuing his good play has hit it close for eagle. I then suffer from not having practice putting and misread the speed and leave it half way to the hole… handing Anthony the win.
On the second hole, Anhony tees first and I thought he hit it into the water. I jokingly said I’d follow him, and tried to hit a cut taking the water out of play. As it turned out, I was in the water, and Tony’s ball stayed up. I hit my third just short, then nearly holed out the chip…that ran way past. Anthony wins the first match, and is up a point.
By now, I’m thinking pretty much of just trying not to embarrass myself. I’m not playing in Tony’s league right now, and all I want to do is not hit really horrible shots.
But at dinner that night, something changed. Stina made a comment about how the following day’s shoot was going to only go 4 holes, and be quick, so we’d have some free time. That got under my skin. I knew it, Anthony knew it, you as the viewer knew it. You just don’t say it. I’m the nicest guy in the world, but deep down, I still want to win. I just don’t have the skills to compete any more. But I don’t like hearing it.
That night we played Texas Hold’em. In a small bit of pleasure, the first pot came down to Stina and I, she shouldn’t have tried to call me. She might know poker 100 times more than I do, but I know fate 100 times more than she does. Something interesting was going to happen the next day.
MATCH TWO:
The start of the second match was different. I hit a decent drive, and the wind was up, so I tried to hit a knockdown shot, but it carried through the green. This was on hole number one. The hole where I lost all of the balls on the practice round. I leave myself with about 12 feet for a par save and my first halve of the match. Center cut, and now I am starting to feel the spark.
The second hole I hit a very solid drive but ended up with a fluffy lie, and hit a very poor shot which I tried to keep under the wind. Instead it balloons up and I thought it went out of bounds, but instead I get to pitch it onto the green. I have another chance to save par and halve the hole. I feel good about the putt and the momentum swing, and look at Anthony who is mentally conceding it to me. I push it though… and I am one down.
This match is worth 2 points, so losing that hole was big. I have to win the 3rd hole or I am down 3 points with the last match worth 3 points. Anthony plays a safe iron shot, and I decide to go for the big driver, and although there is wind, and my caddy looks like he wants to walk off the course… I hit a good drive and leave myself just a short wedge into the green. Anthony hits his approach over the green. Now I am in position A.
Tragedy strikes when I decelerate into the ball, and chunk it. I know now I have lost the hole, and match.
One more match to go…
MATCH THREE:
I’d already extended the match beyond 4 holes! However, I thought I saw something in Anthony’s eyes when I flubbed that chip. He looked relieved. Was there an opening? During our brief break, I’d made up my mind I wasn’t going to use any of the mulligans. I was going to try to beat him head to head. He was clearly better than I was, and he deserved to win, unless I beat him fair and square. I thought I had an outside chance at that. It was going to take a little luck, but I didn’t want ATVs or Guns to come into play. Let the golf be the golf. I know it isn’t what the show, or The Big Break is all about, but in the heat of things, it is what I am about as a person. .
At the start of Match Three, Tony hits a good drive, and I hit mine up into a waste area. Learning for the first time that I could not move any of the rocks, and would not use my mulligan, I hit one of the best shots of my golfing career. Ball and rock contact at about the same time, but it came at a cost. My wrist swelled up, and I made a great par save to halve the hole.
The next hole was a par 3. My wrist was swollen now, and with Tony safe on the green, I could barely hang onto the club and came up short. Another good up and down, and we are all square heading into the final hole.
I’m one for the dramatic, so I call Anthony over and I tell him that I think we should just play the final hole the way it was meant to be played and that I wasn’t going to be using any of the mulligans. He’s cool with that, but Stina has no idea up at the green. I pull my drive into the next fairway…. And Anthony hits a great drive down the middle. Here’s where the range finder would have been useful. We had no idea of what distance we had left into the green. Unfortunately, guessing and second-guessing… I went with 220 and at the last moment went for a little extra and pulled the ball over the green and into a waste area. It was pretty much all over from here. Anthony, with his great shot into the green was the winner, and a deserving one at that. The only thing left to sort out was to have me explain why I hadn’t used a mulligan, which I don’t expect anyone to understand. Sometimes in golf, as in life, you just have to play with a sense of fairness that others just don’t get.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
We end our time out at Lajitas with a great dinner in their wonderful restaurant. Traditional local flavors, great hospitality, and Stina eating a little Crow. Just my kind of night out. I had an amazing time down there, and really am in amazement at the peace and quiet that just being in such a wide open space brings. Lajitas is long way away from home, but it is also a long way away from cell phones, taxi cabs, smog, and stress. I’m not sure exactly what Lajitas means… but to me it’ll always mean a place where hospitality meets tranquility, Texas style.
MF
I went to the range to hit balls and the panic set in. Rust settled deep.
By now that I had realized that my competition was going to be either Randy Block or Anthony Sorrentino, two competitors from the first series. I was hoping for Randy, as he and I had a great connection on the first show, and I knew he’d just dust me off easy and we’d have a good time.
Then I get the call. Somehow, Anthony beat Randy and now I am facing Mr. Cocky from Season One. I’m not sure if I was looking more forward to it, or less… but I was more worried about my golf than I was before. Anthony was the sort of person who I thought would not only pound me into the ground on the course, but would spit afterward. That said, I was still looking forward to seeing the kid.
The Flight Down:
After checking in to the hotel in Austin, I settled in for a little late night TV when I get a call from Anthony. He wanted to come up and say hello. We spent the next few hours catching up. He’s still in Law School, and different somehow. Older, more mature… but still Anthony. Still a little bit of a wiseguy. I like him a lot more now than I did on the flight down.
In the morning I met Stina for the first time, and was impressed by her wealth of knowledge about golf. She was more motivated than us are to talk about it, and with Anthony and Stina knowing each other from the earlier taping, it’s kind of nice to just observe for awhile. They have a little cat v. mouse thing going on. Bickering like brother and sister. This is going to be a fun couple of days.
The jet ride down to Lajitas is smooth and as we landed the amazing topography of the Big Bend country struck me. The canyons and valleys cut wide and low, edged by the Rio Grande, and are set against the backdrop of a perfect morning. It’s the kind of day you dream about all winter long up north, the sun rising up over hills and cutting across bright blue skies.
Lajitas Town:
Checking in to the Hotel is like waltzing up mainstreet and expecting an 1880’s gunfight to occur. Anthony and I stayed in one of the Luxury suites opposite the main office, and we couldn’t wait to check out the room. WOW is the only word to describe it. We have a full living room, and each of us has our own master suite off the end, with fireplace, full kitchen (nicely stocked with beer!), and a deck. This is a far cry from the rustic cabins we stayed in on The Big Break, season one!
We have to warm up for our first challenge. The first hole at Lajitas is unique. It’s a peculiar feeling to hit over the Rio Grande into Mexico. I just don’t want to chunk it into the water… so I hit the ball about a mile over the little building in back of the green, and Anthony nearly holes it. It’s here that Stina learns that I am a bit more Lee Trevino than Jack Nicklaus. She asks me if I will ever shut up and points out that I even talk in my own backswing! It isn’t nerves… it actually is just what I do. I lose the competition (or do I?) and that’s it for the day.
The next day we can’t wait for more golf (and I can’t wait to practice) so we get straight to the golf course and hit some balls (mine are going everywhere). Anthony is apparently going to the same law school as Bobby Jones. His golf swing looks better and he is striping the ball.
On the first hole, I lose three balls on the tee and Anthony is starting to resemble a Tennis ball practice machine…pumping balls at me at a rate of speed. Tony (I’m big on nicknames) is playing fantastic. He doesn’t make a single bogey, and shoots -6 for the 14 holes we play. I, on the other hand run out of golf balls. My score? Something close to a ZILLION. Probably the worst golf I have ever played in my life. It was brutal. The match is going to go fast, and the folks on the discussion board are going to tear me to shreds. Ah well, there’s always Tennis right?
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Sometimes when you win, you really lose. Well, that’s what I was thinking when I found out Anthony’s prize for “Winning’ the shot into Mexico was a 1-hour horse back ride in 100F weather, while I cooked him dinner. This was one of the highlights of the trip. You don’t get an appreciation for how big the sky really is until you come down to this part of the country. No Skyscrapers or highway noises, just stars, a campfire, and a singing cowboy. Truly magical. The Cowboy Barbecue wasn’t too much work either, but it did get pretty hot in there! Plus there was the bonus of not having to explain to your wife what you are doing having dinner under the stars with the pretty Swedish host. Winner? Moose.
MORNING COMES EARLY
The next morning we have the first of our non-golf challenges. When we get there we find out it is something a bit more like AMAZING RACE than golf. 4 Wheel ATV riding for a mulligan. Now this sounds interesting. Figuring that I am going to need every break I can muster, I know I have to win this thing. I also notice that Anthony is a bit less cozy on these, than I am - having grown up in farm country. I whiz around the airport to get the feel for my machine, and Anthony is still looking a bit ginger. I know at this point that I am going to win this challenge.
The race starts, and after a bit of confusion, I find the first clue and we are off and racing. I want to fly on this thing, but we have to go at a speed that allows the cameras to film. I am opening a pretty good lead on Anthony, and when I look back, he actually looks lost. We get to the second check point, and the GPS is not functioning properly. I decide that instinct is better than technology, and I go straight into the building and find the clue without it. At this point we are miles ahead of Anthony. We head to the final spot and see him there, but know he has skipped the second station so I can take my time to find the final one, and win the mulligan. It’s a golf channel golf ball which I still keep as a trophy.
Anthony is upset about losing. I’m just happy I won something this week.
After a break, we head off to our second event. This time we play for the ability to move our golf ball one club length, so another mulligan of sorts is on the line.
We drive out to a shooting range set up with targets that have store fronts, saloons, etc… and get some instruction on 1880’s era pistols, rifles, and double barrel shotguns… the three guns that tamed the west. Anthony again looks a little timid. I figure, hey he’s from Detroit, they teach them this in grade school, right? But he said it was the first time he’d shot a gun. I have an advantage, and don’t miss any of the targets in practice.
The competition starts and Anthony is suddenly a lot better - faster and more accurate than I expected. I over compensate and take it very slow and although I hit every target at the first station, I am behind. He inspires me to pick up the pace at station 2, and I open up a big gap, which allows me to coast to victory at station 3.
So now I have the mulligans. A glimmer of hope…if only I can find a golf swing.
MATCH ONE:
After warming up and cobbling together the remnants of a swing, we meet our caddies and I make my first mistake of the competition. I tell my caddy to put away the laser distance finder, not knowing of the rule change. The first hole was a par 5, and I hit a thin drive which I nearly missed into a fairway bunker. Anthony drilled one into the fairway. I’m near the lip, so I just have to get it out and hope for the best. I am left with 185 in and hit a 6 iron on to the left side of the green and have about a 30 foot birdie putt. Anthony, continuing his good play has hit it close for eagle. I then suffer from not having practice putting and misread the speed and leave it half way to the hole… handing Anthony the win.
On the second hole, Anhony tees first and I thought he hit it into the water. I jokingly said I’d follow him, and tried to hit a cut taking the water out of play. As it turned out, I was in the water, and Tony’s ball stayed up. I hit my third just short, then nearly holed out the chip…that ran way past. Anthony wins the first match, and is up a point.
By now, I’m thinking pretty much of just trying not to embarrass myself. I’m not playing in Tony’s league right now, and all I want to do is not hit really horrible shots.
But at dinner that night, something changed. Stina made a comment about how the following day’s shoot was going to only go 4 holes, and be quick, so we’d have some free time. That got under my skin. I knew it, Anthony knew it, you as the viewer knew it. You just don’t say it. I’m the nicest guy in the world, but deep down, I still want to win. I just don’t have the skills to compete any more. But I don’t like hearing it.
That night we played Texas Hold’em. In a small bit of pleasure, the first pot came down to Stina and I, she shouldn’t have tried to call me. She might know poker 100 times more than I do, but I know fate 100 times more than she does. Something interesting was going to happen the next day.
MATCH TWO:
The start of the second match was different. I hit a decent drive, and the wind was up, so I tried to hit a knockdown shot, but it carried through the green. This was on hole number one. The hole where I lost all of the balls on the practice round. I leave myself with about 12 feet for a par save and my first halve of the match. Center cut, and now I am starting to feel the spark.
The second hole I hit a very solid drive but ended up with a fluffy lie, and hit a very poor shot which I tried to keep under the wind. Instead it balloons up and I thought it went out of bounds, but instead I get to pitch it onto the green. I have another chance to save par and halve the hole. I feel good about the putt and the momentum swing, and look at Anthony who is mentally conceding it to me. I push it though… and I am one down.
This match is worth 2 points, so losing that hole was big. I have to win the 3rd hole or I am down 3 points with the last match worth 3 points. Anthony plays a safe iron shot, and I decide to go for the big driver, and although there is wind, and my caddy looks like he wants to walk off the course… I hit a good drive and leave myself just a short wedge into the green. Anthony hits his approach over the green. Now I am in position A.
Tragedy strikes when I decelerate into the ball, and chunk it. I know now I have lost the hole, and match.
One more match to go…
MATCH THREE:
I’d already extended the match beyond 4 holes! However, I thought I saw something in Anthony’s eyes when I flubbed that chip. He looked relieved. Was there an opening? During our brief break, I’d made up my mind I wasn’t going to use any of the mulligans. I was going to try to beat him head to head. He was clearly better than I was, and he deserved to win, unless I beat him fair and square. I thought I had an outside chance at that. It was going to take a little luck, but I didn’t want ATVs or Guns to come into play. Let the golf be the golf. I know it isn’t what the show, or The Big Break is all about, but in the heat of things, it is what I am about as a person. .
At the start of Match Three, Tony hits a good drive, and I hit mine up into a waste area. Learning for the first time that I could not move any of the rocks, and would not use my mulligan, I hit one of the best shots of my golfing career. Ball and rock contact at about the same time, but it came at a cost. My wrist swelled up, and I made a great par save to halve the hole.
The next hole was a par 3. My wrist was swollen now, and with Tony safe on the green, I could barely hang onto the club and came up short. Another good up and down, and we are all square heading into the final hole.
I’m one for the dramatic, so I call Anthony over and I tell him that I think we should just play the final hole the way it was meant to be played and that I wasn’t going to be using any of the mulligans. He’s cool with that, but Stina has no idea up at the green. I pull my drive into the next fairway…. And Anthony hits a great drive down the middle. Here’s where the range finder would have been useful. We had no idea of what distance we had left into the green. Unfortunately, guessing and second-guessing… I went with 220 and at the last moment went for a little extra and pulled the ball over the green and into a waste area. It was pretty much all over from here. Anthony, with his great shot into the green was the winner, and a deserving one at that. The only thing left to sort out was to have me explain why I hadn’t used a mulligan, which I don’t expect anyone to understand. Sometimes in golf, as in life, you just have to play with a sense of fairness that others just don’t get.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
We end our time out at Lajitas with a great dinner in their wonderful restaurant. Traditional local flavors, great hospitality, and Stina eating a little Crow. Just my kind of night out. I had an amazing time down there, and really am in amazement at the peace and quiet that just being in such a wide open space brings. Lajitas is long way away from home, but it is also a long way away from cell phones, taxi cabs, smog, and stress. I’m not sure exactly what Lajitas means… but to me it’ll always mean a place where hospitality meets tranquility, Texas style.
MF
Randy Block: Show #2 (Palm Beach) - Aug. 30th
It was great getting to work with The Golf Channel again. And when I heard I was playing against Anthony, I thought it would be a great match! Seeing and hearing from Anthony was special. And to know he is still with his girlfriend, Stephanie, and finishing law school is tremendous. It’s a tribute to his character – which I think is a side of Anthony that was not brought out in The Big Break.
Getting a chance to play PGA National was an experience that we will both never forget. The Bear Trap has to be the toughest three holes on the golf courses. And we got a chance to show off our skills again. Boy, did the course win! But what a beautiful resort. Ninety holes of nothing but great golf.
Winning the par 3 challenge at PGA National was so funny because both Anthony and I did not even come close to hitting land. Thank goodness for the green getting in the way on our second shots to a par 3! It was great fun and a wonderful golf experience. As a prize for winning the golf challenge I was awarded a Deep Sea Fishing trip with Anthony as my first mate. What a wonderful time just talking about life and what is in store for the future.
If you ever want to be treated like Kings or Queens, play the Breakers, Rees Jones course. What a wonderful place! The quality of the golf holes was tremendous. The customer service is impeccable. And having a chance to play with a Pro's Pro, Danny St. Louis, Director of Golf was awesome. He and his staff were superb. I had a chance to talk to some members there and it sounds like those standards are a daily occurrence. Anthony and I did a little better there, but still tough!
Then, to take a break from the golf, Anthony and I got a chance to race performance go carts at Moroso Motor Sports Park. Those cars went faster than my car I drive everyday. Awesome experience! And I think I would have won the race, if Anthony was not such a chicken. But to his defense, Scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next three hole match was at the Boca Raton Golf Resort. What a place with great golf history. To play where Sam Snead was once the Head Golf Professional was a treat in itself. The holes and the hospitality made for an awesome experience. From the resort you can do just about anything - from playing championship golf rich in history, to boating from the deck along side the resort. During our stay there we got a chance to relax and take part in some of the amenities. Anthony went for a Tennis lesson and I went to the Spa from some much needed body realignment.
Hope you enjoyed the show, because we had a great time staying and playing at three wonderful South Florida locations. PGA National, Breakers West, The Rees Jones Course, and the Boca Raton Golf and Club.
See you next time!
RB
Getting a chance to play PGA National was an experience that we will both never forget. The Bear Trap has to be the toughest three holes on the golf courses. And we got a chance to show off our skills again. Boy, did the course win! But what a beautiful resort. Ninety holes of nothing but great golf.
Winning the par 3 challenge at PGA National was so funny because both Anthony and I did not even come close to hitting land. Thank goodness for the green getting in the way on our second shots to a par 3! It was great fun and a wonderful golf experience. As a prize for winning the golf challenge I was awarded a Deep Sea Fishing trip with Anthony as my first mate. What a wonderful time just talking about life and what is in store for the future.
If you ever want to be treated like Kings or Queens, play the Breakers, Rees Jones course. What a wonderful place! The quality of the golf holes was tremendous. The customer service is impeccable. And having a chance to play with a Pro's Pro, Danny St. Louis, Director of Golf was awesome. He and his staff were superb. I had a chance to talk to some members there and it sounds like those standards are a daily occurrence. Anthony and I did a little better there, but still tough!
Then, to take a break from the golf, Anthony and I got a chance to race performance go carts at Moroso Motor Sports Park. Those cars went faster than my car I drive everyday. Awesome experience! And I think I would have won the race, if Anthony was not such a chicken. But to his defense, Scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next three hole match was at the Boca Raton Golf Resort. What a place with great golf history. To play where Sam Snead was once the Head Golf Professional was a treat in itself. The holes and the hospitality made for an awesome experience. From the resort you can do just about anything - from playing championship golf rich in history, to boating from the deck along side the resort. During our stay there we got a chance to relax and take part in some of the amenities. Anthony went for a Tennis lesson and I went to the Spa from some much needed body realignment.
Hope you enjoyed the show, because we had a great time staying and playing at three wonderful South Florida locations. PGA National, Breakers West, The Rees Jones Course, and the Boca Raton Golf and Club.
See you next time!
RB
Kip Henley: Show #1 (Las Vegas) - Aug. 22nd
Being a former Big Break Champion, I knew sooner or later I would get a chance to do another show with The Golf Channel. Not that I am some great guy the viewers cant live without, it’s just that the show is so popular.
I also think The Golf Channel keeps me around every now and then to provide the redneck perspective on things just in case there are enough of my cousins out there to boost viewership. What was really unbelievable was that I would get to return not only to Vegas where The Big Break II was filmed, but the very course (Bali Hai) where I beat ‘ole “Double D” Donatello for the title.
Unfortunately, this time I didn't get to leave Vegas with the greatest sense of accomplishment in my golf career like the last time. This time, the show was Golf With Style: Global Challenge and The Golf Channel pitted me in a nine hole match against one of the founding fathers of The Big Break - and a huge fan favorite - Randy Block. It looked like Randy was going to be a push over after me winning the first two holes but Randy fought hard and came back to edge me out in extra holes.
While were there, Randy and I were treated like kings and we got to play three great courses that most golfers would do anything for the opportunity to play. We ate like kings too. Well, except for the part of the show where Randy has to help a chef prepare a gourmet meal for me and Stina (an up and coming star in the golf industry). During that meal I think we ate a piece of the animal I am sure even the cavemen pitched out when they killed it.
All kidding aside, there was no win this time. But there was another great life experience provided by The Golf Channel.
KH
I also think The Golf Channel keeps me around every now and then to provide the redneck perspective on things just in case there are enough of my cousins out there to boost viewership. What was really unbelievable was that I would get to return not only to Vegas where The Big Break II was filmed, but the very course (Bali Hai) where I beat ‘ole “Double D” Donatello for the title.
Unfortunately, this time I didn't get to leave Vegas with the greatest sense of accomplishment in my golf career like the last time. This time, the show was Golf With Style: Global Challenge and The Golf Channel pitted me in a nine hole match against one of the founding fathers of The Big Break - and a huge fan favorite - Randy Block. It looked like Randy was going to be a push over after me winning the first two holes but Randy fought hard and came back to edge me out in extra holes.
While were there, Randy and I were treated like kings and we got to play three great courses that most golfers would do anything for the opportunity to play. We ate like kings too. Well, except for the part of the show where Randy has to help a chef prepare a gourmet meal for me and Stina (an up and coming star in the golf industry). During that meal I think we ate a piece of the animal I am sure even the cavemen pitched out when they killed it.
All kidding aside, there was no win this time. But there was another great life experience provided by The Golf Channel.
KH
